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Difficulty: HardSentence Equivalence: Contextual Synonym Pair Selection

Notwithstanding the diplomat's outward appearance of unyielding dogmatism, her negotiating tactics in high-stakes summits were surprisingly __________; she frequently pivoted strategies to exploit shifting political dynamics. Which two of the following answer choices, when inserted into the blank, produce sentences that are equivalent in overall meaning?

  1. pliantAnswer
  2. suppleAnswer
  3. C
    intransigent
  4. D
    recalcitrant
  5. E
    perspicacious
  6. F
    devious

Answer

The two choices that produce equivalent sentences are 'pliant' and 'supple'.
The structural signal 'Notwithstanding' sets up a direct contrast with 'unyielding dogmatism'. The sentence further elaborates that the diplomat 'frequently pivoted strategies', demanding words that mean flexible or adaptable. The choices 'pliant' and 'supple' are contextual synonyms that both accurately complete the sentence while maintaining structural and semantic equivalence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural pivot and sentence context
The sentence begins with the concessionary pivot 'Notwithstanding', indicating a contrast between the diplomat's outward 'unyielding dogmatism' and her actual negotiating tactics.
Identifying contrast signals dictates the polarity required for the blank.
2
Determine the required meaning of the blank
The blank requires a word meaning flexible, adaptable, or yielding, as elaborated by the clause stating she 'frequently pivoted strategies'.
The second clause reinforces the opposite of unyielding behavior.
3
Evaluate options for contextual fit and synonymy
'Pliant' and 'supple' both mean flexible or adaptable, forming a coherent synonym pair. 'Intransigent' and 'recalcitrant' are synonyms that incorrectly match the pre-pivot tone. 'Perspicacious' lacks a synonym partner, and 'devious' is a topical distractor.
GRE Sentence Equivalence requires choosing exactly two words that are synonyms and fit the contextual tone.

Key Concept

Identifying contrast structural signals and selecting contextual synonym pairs that satisfy sentence polarity.
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Topics

Sentence Equivalence: Contextual Synonym Pair Selection

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